Growing support for family friendly environments from Taranaki retailers

16 November 2015

A New Plymouth automotive specialist and a gym are the first businesses of their kind to sign up to Taranaki DHB’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ (BFWH) programme.

Trundles Automotive and Rampage Fitness City Gym gained accreditation earlier this year, making their businesses the only gym and automotive specialist in Taranaki to provide baby friendly facilities accredited by Taranaki DHB.

Alisha Stone, Taranaki DHB Health Promoter said, “Taranaki DHB encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months; longer if possible. Being able to breastfeed comfortably in public spaces and commercial environments plays a significant role in a woman’s choice to do so.”

The BFWH programme identifies and promotes suitable sites throughout Taranaki that offer supportive environments and facilities for whānau and their young children.

Claire Henchman, Assistant Manager at Trundles Automotive said, “As parents of two young children ourselves, we know it’s not easy getting errands done with a new baby so we wanted to show our support by offering a comfortable facility for parents using our services. Our customer lounge features a separate children’s playroom, with a change table, high chair and privacy for feeding. The DHB provided support in checking that our workshop had facilities that suited the needs of both the parents and their babies.”

Allan Ross, Owner/Operator of Rampage Fitness City Gym said, “We think it’s important that we can offer childcare facilities for all parents that have babies; whether they are here to exercise or just need to pop in to comfortable surroundings to feed their baby whilst away from home. We also wanted to help normalise breastfeeding in public settings.”

Sites accredited by the BFWH programme have staff that are supportive and welcoming to breastfeeding mothers. These sites provide a warm, clean, safe and smokefree environment that has baby change and hand washing facilities, pushchair access and comfortable seating.

“Signing up these new businesses to the BFWH programme means we are increasing the number and variety of locations where parents are welcomed and can feel comfortable feeding their babies when out and about,” said Ms Stone.

Participating BFWH sites are publicised to pregnant women and mothers of young babies through avenues such as Taranaki DHB Maternity Services, independent midwives, WellChild/Tamariki Ora services and the breastfeeding page on the Taranaki DHB website.

For more information about the BFWH programme or to get your business accredited as a BFWH site, contact Alisha Stone at the Taranaki DHB Public Health Unit, phone 06 753 7777 ext 8518.